My Pastor’s Blog

Its a good thing to always read your pastor’s blog. 

Usually they have given it much thought and are genuinely seeking to impart something from the Holy Spirit. 

Here’s one I read one Sunday morning some time ago, from our Church Bulletin at Emerge Church , Warner, North Brisbane.

Pastor Mark & Nina Elmendorp

A PASTORS BLOG:

Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to go.

Jesus sent out 70 as forerunners of His ministry.

These men and women were sent out and went out to preach the good news of the Kingdom.

We know they had been handpicked by God because Jesus explains that He has prayed to His Father in heaven, the Lord of the Harvest, for labourers to send out into the harvest.

The harvest is never the problem, it’s the labourers.

We need more labourers.

Jesus knows He’s sending them out into a tough environment, lambs in the midst of wolves.

But He sends them anyway.

Don’t get caught up into the narrative that everything is getting worse, that in Australia we are on the edge of an abyss of oppression, persecution and hatred.

It’s always been that way, the gospel does best under persecution.

Blessed are you, when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against falsely because of my account.

Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven.

Jesus gives them four keys on how to live and work in an intolerant society.

Jesus says, “When you enter a house say, “Peace be with you”.

KEY 1, BE A PEACE MAKER. 

Don’t always be looking for someone’s faults.

Jesus says, “Remain in the house”.

KEY 2, WE NEED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

We need to use the same hairdressers, petrol stations, cafés, gyms, hangouts and just build friendships.

Get to know them and your chance will come to tell them about Kingdom ways.

Jesus says, “Bind the broken”.

KEY 3, WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WITH THEM BUILDING RELATIONSHIP, IT’S NOT LONG BEFORE THEY SHOW YOU THEIR BROKENNESS AND TRUST YOU WITH IT.

This is the time to do something, not just say something.

Jesus says, Tell them, “The Kingdom of God is near you”.

KEY 4, WHEN WE ARE A BLESSING, WHEN WE BUILD GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS, WHEN WE BIND UP THEIR WOUNDS IT WON’T BE LONG TILL WE CAN BRING THE MESSAGE OF THE KINGDOM.

We might not win everyone, but the law of genuine love will always work.

Much Love and Blessings

Ps Mark and Nina